Snowplow



Patented Jan. 21, 1941 UNITED stares einen e rear orrici:

Claims.

This invention relates generally to snow removing implements in the nature of a manually operable plow, constructed to be moved forwardly by the operator and designed to have a number 5 of adjustable blades whereby the path cleared may be altered as to width, and further to permit the use of either one or more oi' the said blades by setting the structure forming a part of the equipment.

One of the important aims of this invention is the provision of a snowplow of the aforementioned character wherein is included a pair of blades mounted upon a specially formed body which has associated therewith, means for manually operating the plow and devices for securing the blades thereof at predetermined angles.

A yet further aim of this invention is to provide a snowplow of the type intended to be manually operated, which plow comprises a number of collapsible parts, all of which may be manipulated to permit packing and storing of the plow without disassembling, and all oi which cooperate to present a rigid, durable and rugged implement when adjusted to the operative conn dition.

The foregoing broad objects as well as specific aims will be exemplified to those skilled in the art by an understanding of the illustrated embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a snowplow made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is aside elevational View of the saine; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View taken on line III-III of Fig. l.

The principal supporting element of the snowplow is the planar body which in practice, has been formed of a board or plank that extends in a vertical plane on the longitudinal center line of the snowplow. To this body is attached a number of wheels 8, lll and l2 respectively, so that the body may be moved along a supporting surface being cleaned upon wheels and lil and so that when the plow is to be transported in an in operative position, wheels I2 may be employed.

A specially formed blade ill is hingedly mounted as at I6 to each side respectively of body 6. This blade is of relatively heavy sheet metal and the marginal longitudinal edges thereof are bent laterally to present an arcuate overhanging portion which assists in scooping the snow from the surface being cleaned and coniines the snow to the outer surface oi the blade until it is deposited at the outermost tree end thereof.

Blades lll are attached to body 6 adjacent the forward end thereof and each blade has an associated wing it mounted on body t to insure that the snow will not pass behind the adjacent ends of blades lil.

The blades extend rearwardly and outwardly from each other and from body t, and their angle of inclination, with respect to the body, may be predetermined and set through the employment of braces 2t, one of which is disposed between each blade ld and body i5. Each brace has ears 22 at the ends thereof that are provided with openings for the reception oi a pin 24, which when in the operative position, passes through bearings 2li mounted on the back side of blade lll. i

The pivotal connection afforded by pin 24, ears and bearings 2t allows the end of brace 2d adjacent to body Ei, to be moved along the perforated )fixtures E8 to a desired point. Ears 3U on the end of brace 2t near fixtures Z8 have openings therethrough for the reception of a pin 32 and this pin is passed through ears it and the desired perforation :it of fixtures 25.

In the embodiment illustrated, fixtures 28 are in the form of angle irons secured to the side of body ii and spaced apart as seen in Fig. 2. The perforations 35i of these angle irons are in opposed relation and ears :it rest upon these angle irons as shown.

A pair of handles Zit secured to the body at a point close to the forward end thereof, extend upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly vso as to afford the operator a convenient means for exerting the required forward force to operate the plow. Grips 38 on the upper rear ends of handles it are of the usual form and the distance between these grips .it is determined by a tie-rod lill, one end of which is pivotally secured to one of handles fi as at t2. The other end of tierod Ml is removably engageable with a bracket te carried by the other handle 35 and an opening l5 intermediate the ends of tie-rod 4t is for the purpose of receiving a securing pin, hereinafter to be described.

While the rear and uppermost ends of handles are so held apart by tie-rod llt, the forward and lower ends are secured to body through the medium ci hinges d8, both of which are secured to body li by a pintle til. This pintle permits the movement of handles t@ about a common center on the axis of the pintle and the hinges allow movement of the handles toward and from each other.

Each handle 36 is supplied with a support comprising two links 52 and 54 respectively. The links are interconnected 'by a pin 56 and the ends are pivotally joined to handle 36 as at 53 and body 6 as at 60 so that folding may occur. A pin 62 is passed through the overlapped ends of links 52 and 54 to insure rigidity.

When the parts of the plow are in the position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, the same is ready for use. When the parts are folded to the position shown in dotted lines of said gures, the plow is ready for packing or storing.

A tongue 64 on the upper edge of body 6 has a hole 66 therethrough for the reception of a pin and when tie-rod 40 is in the position shown in dotted lines, hole 46 will be in register with hole 66 of tongue 64. In this position, links 52 and 54 are folded together and handles 35 are in a position on opposite sides respectively of body 6.

An exceptionally compact package is formed when the plow parts are folded together and a distinct advantage is gained, especially when implements of this character are used but a limited number of times through a given season of the year. Storage space is reduced to a minimum and when the plow is shipped by the manufacturer, the carton need not be heavy nor large.

It is obvious to one skilled in the art that the parts of the plow when in the operative position, will present a rigid structure without danger of collapse and having the ability to withstand any force that might be manually exerted in cleaning a path. Because of the individual manner in which blades I4 are adjustably mounted, one blade m-ay be drawn against body 6 while the other is used to clear a relatively narrow p-ath. This is particularly advantageous when it is necessary to clean the pavement close to a building. The hinges 48 permit the operator to draw handles 36 laterally a slight amount for the Connection at 60 is free enough to allow the displacement-thus, the hand of the operator, next to the building, will not engage the latter and speed and eiciency is gained.

The materials from which the plow is made insure a light-weight device and blades I4 are reversible so that when an edge, for example, becomes worn, the blades may be interchanged to present another longitudinal edge to the surface being cleaned. These blades I4 are likewise quickly renewable and the employment of a relatively flat, thin body 6 that is disposed on the longitudinal centerline of the plow, allows tipping to the desired extent to overcome obstacles that might be struck by the lower edge of either blade.

Obviously, plows having appearances different from that shown may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A manually oper-able snowplow of the character described, comprising a at, central body adapted to be disposed in a vertical plane when in the operative position; an outwardly and rearwardly extending blade hingedly joined to each side respectively of the body adjacent to the forward end thereof; means interconnecting each blade and the body at selected points along the length thereof adjacent to the other end of the body for holding the blades at desired angles to the body; a pair of handles extending upwardly,

rearwardly and outwardly from a point on the body to positions convenient to the operator; hinges serving to interconnect the handles and said body, said hinges having means permitting movement of the handles toward and from each other and toward the body; and structure releasably securing the handles in the operative position.

2. A manually operable snowplow of the character described comprising a flat central body adapted to be disposed in a vertical plane when in the operative position; an outwardly and rearwardly extending blade hingedly joined to each side respectively of the body adjacent to the forward end thereof; means interconnecting each blade and the body at selected points along the length thereof adjacent to the other end of the body for holding the blades at desired angles to the body; a pair of handles extending upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly from a point on the body to positions convenient to the operator; hinges serving to interconnect the handles and said body, said hinges having means permitting movement of the handles toward and from each other `and toward the body; and structure releasably securing the handles in the operative position, said structure comprising a tie-rod between the handles at the uppermost portions thereof, one end of said tie-rod being swingably secured to one of the handles, the other end of said tie-rod being releasably attached to the other handle whereby upon releasing the tie-rod the handles may be moved together.

3. A manually operable snowplow of the character described comprising a flat central body adapted to be disposed in a vertical plane when in the operative position; an outwardly and rearwardly extending blade hingedly joined to each side respectively of the body adjacent to the forward end thereof; means interconnecting each blade and the body at selected points along the length thereof adjacent to the other end of the body for holding the blades at desired angles to the body; a pair of handles extending upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly from a point on the body to positions convenient to the operator; hinges serving to interconnect the handles and said body, said hinges having means permitting movement of the handles toward and from each other and toward the body; and structure releasably securing the handles in the operative position, said structure comprising a tie-rod between the handles 'at the uppermost portions thereof, one end of said tie-rod being swingably secured to one of the handles, the other end of said tie-rod being releasably attached to the other handle whereby upon releasing the tie-rod the handles may be moved together, said body having a tongue thereon formed to receive the tie-rod thereunder when the handles are in juxtaposition and adjacent to the body after movement toward each other and toward the body about the hinges.

4. A manually operable snowplow of they character described comprising a flat central body adapted to be disposed in a vertical plane when in the operative position; and outwardly and rearwardly extending blade hingedly joined to each side respectively of the body adjacent to the forward end thereof means interconnecting each blade and the body at selected points along the length thereof adjacent to the other end of the body for holding the blades at desired angles to the body; a pair of handles extending upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly from a point on the body to positions convenient to the operator;

hinges serving to interconnect the handles and said body, said hinges having means permitting movement of the handles toward and from each other and toward the body; and` structure releas ably securing the handles in the operative position, said structure comprising a tie-rod between the handles at the uppermost portions thereoone end of said tie-rod being s-Wingably secured to one of the handles, the other end of said tie-rod being releasably attached to the other handle whereby upon releasing the tie-rod the handles may be moved together, said body having a tongue thereon formed to receive the tie-rod thereunder when the handles are in juxtaposition and adjacent to` the body after movement toward each other and toward the body about the hinges, said handles each having a collapsible support extending to the body and adapted to be folded when the handles move toward the body.

5. A manually operable" snowplow of the character described comprising a flat central body adapted to be disposed in a vertical plane when in the operative position; an outwardly and rear- Wardly extending blade hingedly joined to each side respectively of the body adjacent to the for- Ward end thereof; means interconnecting each blade and the body at selected points along the length thereof adjacent to the other end of the body for holding the blades at desired angles to the body; a pair of handles extending upwardly, rearwardly and outwardly from a point on the body to positions convenient to the operator; hinges serving to interconnect the handles and said body, said hinges having means permitting movement of the handles toward and from each other and toward the body; and structure releasably securing the handles in the operative position, each of said means interconnecting the blades and the body comprising a brace hingedly attached at one end to the blade, a perforated fixture on the body and means for attaching the other end of the brace to the iiXture at a selected one of the perfcrations.

HARVEY W. DE VAUX. 

